£90,000 • £120,000 - £150,000
1950 Bristol 402 Drophead Coupé
United Kingdom • 11 Dec 2025
Vehicle Details
AI Listing Summary
This is a rare 1950 Bristol 402 Drophead Coupé, one of only around 12 survivors. It's a left-hand drive model, originally delivered in the UK, and was restored in 2010 with significant investment.
Condition
8
The car was restored in 2010 and is described as being in 'A1' condition by the vendor. It has been maintained with no expense spared since then. However, a clutch release bearing needs to be replaced.
/ 10
Manual
Transmission:
402/711
Chassis No:
Odometer:
[Odometer Reading]
542 YUF
Reg Number:
RHD/LHD:
LHD
• The first soft-top Bristol • One of only circa 12 survivors of 20-or-so made • Left-hand drive • Delivered new in the UK • Restored in 2010 In 1946 the Bristol Aeroplane Company, finding itself with surplus capacity and skills, embarked on the manufacture of luxury cars having obtained the rights to BMW's automotive designs as part of Germany's post-WW2 reparations.
Thus it came about that the Bristol 400 was effectively a synthesis of three pre-war BMWs, with a chassis derived from that of the 326; the advanced 2.0-litre six-cylinder engine from the 328 sports car; and an aerodynamic bodyshell similar to that of the 327 coupé.
But Bristol did more than simply copy the work of its German counterparts; the application of aviation industry standards to its manufacture resulted in a car more refined and considerably better constructed than its Teutonic forbears.
With the introduction in 1948 of the 401 - the first of its exquisitely styled aerodynes - Bristol began to move away from ...
Points of note
£74,750
Lowest Price (Since 2020)
£90,000
Median Price (Since 2020)
£159,750
Highest Price (Since 2020)
World Record
If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will set a new world record for the [enter model]
Bottom 40%
The sale price places it in the bottom 40% of sold prices we've ever seen for the Bristol 402
Lowest Price
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Average Price
The mid-point of the vehicle's estimate places it near the average price we see for the [enter model]
Rare Sale
This vehicle comes to market rarely. In auction records we've only seen 4 sold before
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Previous Sales
Gallery
MOT Information
Valid
Expires on Dec 07 2026
Latest MOT Mileage
37,007 miles
Registration Date
1950-12-31
MOT History
Passed
On Dec 08 2025 with 37,007 miles
Passed
On Jun 09 2022 with 33,007 miles
Passed
On Mar 01 2021 with 33,027 miles
There was 1 defect noted.
Advisory:
- Signs of fluid leak in rear off side brake drum
Passed
On Sep 18 2019 with 33,007 miles
Passed
On Oct 10 2018 with 33,007 miles
Passed
On Jan 06 2018 with 33,120 miles
Passed
On Jun 16 2016 with 33,007 miles
There was 1 defect noted, with 1 deemed dangerous.
Advisory:
- (Dangerous) Front and rear brakes badly out of balance
Failed
On Jun 13 2016 with 33,007 miles
There were 6 defects noted, with 1 deemed dangerous.
Fail:
- Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
- Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)
- Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)
- Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)
Advisory:
- (Dangerous) Front and rear brakes badly out of balance
Passed
On Mar 27 2015 with 33,000 miles
There were 2 defects noted.
Advisory:
- rear parking (secondary) brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.6b)
- Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)
Passed
On May 13 2014 with 32,911 miles
There were 2 defects noted.
Advisory:
- Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)
- Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)
Passed
On May 17 2013 with 32,912 miles
Passed
On Aug 09 2012 with 32,698 miles
Passed
On Aug 24 2011 with 32,195 miles
Passed
On Mar 05 2011 with 32,902 miles
MOT Mileage Trend
